View of Staits of Mackinac from Grand Hotel, Mackinac Island, Lake Huron, Michigan, USA
Mackinac Island is about 8 miles (13 km) in circumference and square miles ( km2) in total area. The highest point of the island is the historic Fort Holmes (originally called Fort George by the British before 1815), which is 320 feet (98 m) above the lake level and 890 feet (271 m) above sea level. According to the 2000 census, the island has a year-round population of 523. The population grows considerably during the summer as hotels, restaurants, bars and retail shops, open only during the summer season, hire short-term employees to accommodate as many as 15,000 visitors per day. Two of the modes of transport on Mackinac Island, horse-drawn carriages and island can be reached by private boat, by ferry, by small aircraft, and in the winter, by snowmobile. The airport has a 3,500 feet (1,070 m) paved runway, and charter air service from the mainland is available. In the summer tourist season, ferry service is available from Arnold Transit Company, Shepler's Ferry, and Star Line Ferry to shuttle visitors to the island from St. Ignace and Mackinaw City. Motorized vehicles have been prohibited on the island since 1898, with the exception of snowmobiles during winter, emergency vehicles, and service vehicles. Travel on the island is either by foot, bicycle, or horse-drawn carriage. Roller skates and roller blades are also allowed, except in the downtown area. Bicycles, roller skates/roller blades, carriages, and saddle horses are available for rent. An 8-mile (13 km) road follows the island's perimeter, and numerous roads, trails and paths cover the interior. The road encircling the island and closely hugging the shoreline is M-185, the United States' only state highway without motorized vehicles. The island is the location of Mackinac Island State Park, which covers approximately 80 percent of the island and includes Fort Mackinac as well as portions of the island's historic downtown and harbor.
Size: 3760px × 2517px
Location: Mackinac Island, Michigan, USA
Photo credit: © Dimitry Bobroff / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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